"Our
vision was to forge a new direction for the market, building
decisively on Ford's Tough Truck heritage and creating a
product that would alter the expectations of pickup customers.
The new F-150 does that with the courage of a leader, launching
a new era of Built Ford Tough."
- Chris Theodore, Vice President - North American Product
Development, Ford Motor Company

WHAT'S
NEW FOR 2004Even
tougher - F-150's fully boxed frame is approximately nine
times stiffer torsionally than its predecessor, providing
the foundation for improved durability, driving dynamics,
and ride refinement and quietness. With a maximum tow rating
of 9,500 pounds and maximum payload capacity of 2,900 pounds,
the new F-150 is the most capable full-size pickup under
8,500 pounds.

New
interiors - Custom environments have been developed for
each series. The initial "wow factor" is supported
by substance that makes F-150 a pleasure over the long run.
More spaciousness - Regular Cab and SuperCab models have
a passenger compartment that is 6 inches longer, providing
more space inside for occupants and their gear. For SuperCab
models, that extra length means increased rear-seat comfort
for three adults in the rear seat. For Regular Cab, it means
13 inches of secure storage space behind the seat.

Easy
access - Reflecting consumer demand for ease of access for
people and cargo, Regular Cab models feature new, class-exclusive
access doors that open up new stowage possibilities behind
the seat.
New engine technology - Ford's new 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton™
V-8 engine produces 300 peak horsepower, a 15-percent improvement
over the previous award-winning 5.4-liter engine, along
with improvements in low-speed and peak torque and greater
fuel efficiency. Smooth, quiet and refined, it also contributes
to the quieter cab environment.
Stronger stance and style - The new F-150 features an all-new
design, with a bold exterior shape that reflects Ford truck
toughness and capability. The refined interiors take the
full-size pickup to a new level of comfort and refinement.
Superior driving experience - Tremendous attention to detail
and engineering advancements -- such as the new outboard
rear shock absorbers and wider rear leaf springs -- have
been applied to the chassis of the F-150 to deliver a confident,
capable driving experience.
Safety - The new Occupant Position Sensing technology for
the first-row passenger makes the 2004 F-150 a strong choice
for safety. It exceeds rigorous new federal safety standards
for air bag and offset crash performance.
Cargo capacity - The new F-150 cargo box is more than 2
inches deeper, with greater cargo volume. Plus, a class-exclusive
new standard Tailgate Assist feature helps owners of all
statures more easily open and close the gate.
2004 FORD F-150 LAUNCHES A NEW ERA OF BUILT FORD TOUGH

2004
F-150 XLT is expected to be the volume leader.
The dominant force in pickups has just upped the ante.

Now,
as it celebrates more than 85 years of truck experience
and 55 years of legendary F-Series accomplishments, Ford
is again redefining America's truck. The all-new 2004 Ford
F-150 creates a bold first impression as it extends Ford's
tradition as America's Tough Truck leader. It creates an
even bigger lasting impression when its doors are opened
to reveal a revolutionary interior design with refinement,
comfort and spaciousness unparalleled in a truck.

Ford
pioneered the pickup, gave it the first V-8 engine and Crew
Cab and went on to create a brand that is synonymous with
truck leadership. Tough, capable and powerful, the F-Series
has been the best-selling full-size pickup for 26 years
as of January 2003 and the nation's favorite vehicle for
21 years running. The Ford F-Series is America's truck.

COMPREHENSIVE
3-CAB, 3-BOX, 5-SERIES LINEUP

F-150
now offers the industry's widest variety of body and trim
configurations. Customers can specify the pickup box according
to load length and box style, with more choices than ever
before. Additionally, all cab configurations now feature
four doors for ease of access. The lineup includes:

Three
cab choices-
Regular Cab, a single row of occupant seating and rearward-swinging
access doors that reveal a behind-seat stowage area up to
13 inches wide.

SuperCab,
a two-door extended cab version featuring a second row of
seating accessed by two rearward-swinging doors.

SuperCrew,
a crew cab that features two rows of seating and four forward-swinging
full-size doors.

Three
box lengths and two box styles -

Eight-foot,
6 1/2-foot, and 51/2-foot box lengths are offered. In addition,
the F-150 SuperCab 5 ½- foot box is a new offering
and a full-size pickup truck exclusive.

Two
different box styles, Styleside and Flareside, are available.

Five
distinct series offerings -
From the workhorse F-150 XL to the refined F-150 Lariat,
the 2004 F-150 lineup has the truck to meet a variety of
customer wants and needs. The five series - XL, STX, XLT,
FX4 and Lariat - each reflect insight into unique customer
needs.

ALL-NEW
TOUGH TRUCK DESIGN IS SOPHISTICATED, ASSURED

The
all-new F-150 exterior is designed to be confident, powerful,
fresh and refined. Drawing on design elements from the current
F-150, the F-Series Super Duty lineup and the Mighty F-350
TONKA concept, the new truck's taut, boldly chiseled shape
resonates Ford Tough Truck tradition.

"Creating
an all-new F-150 was about asserting the toughness and truck
capability of the leader," said Patrick Schiavone,
design director, Ford Tough Trucks.

"We
definitely wanted to push the design to a new level, to
move the excitement needle up a notch. The result is a shape
symbolic of strength with an underlying tone of sophistication
that really gives this truck aspirational qualities,"
Schiavone said.

Tall-shouldered
and proud, the new F-150 profile features a self-assured,
"planted" stance achieved through widening the
front and rear tracks more than 1.5 inches. New larger standard
wheel and tire combinations reside in straightforward circular
wheel arches that visually communicate power.

The
bold front-end design conveys strength and symbolizes the
powerful engine range. It features new quad-circle-styled
headlamps designed in form-follows-function clusters, and
incorporates a new wrap-around fascia treatment that communicates
refined sophistication and precision. A bold bumper with
integral foglamps, when equipped, and tow hooks (on 4x4
models) complete the look.

The
F-150 FX4 model is designed to look at home on rugged terrain.
Enhancing the truck's visual strength is its high beltline,
which draws attention to its chiseled, powerful flanks and
a roofline reminiscent of chopped-top custom street trucks.
A more vertical tumblehome (the inward bow of the side windows)
balances the visual weight of the lower body while allowing
nearly flush side glass, a mark of refinement. The doors
adopt the Ford signature stepped-down beltline - a feature
that aids outward visibility while providing an athletic
rake that dynamically links the front and rear of the truck.

MORE
ROOM FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR CARGO

The
passenger compartment of the Regular Cab and SuperCab body
styles is 6 inches longer, giving customers greater interior
spaciousness. Regular Cab models feature industry-first
rearward-swinging access doors that make it easier to reach
a behind-seat cargo area that is large enough for golf clubs,
toolboxes or five-gallon paint buckets. Each access door
features an integral window that contributes to the airy,
spacious interior feel of the new F-150. SuperCab occupants
can enjoy first-in-class rear door power windows (on XLT,
FX4 and Lariat) as well as an optional power sliding rear
window.

The
flow-through console available on the f-150 lariat matches
a center stack finished in woodgrain and warm steel trim.
The clean look of the F-150 Styleside box is available in
all three box lengths - 8-foot, 6 1/2-foot and 51/2-foot.
F-150's new 61/2-foot Flareside box - formed of inner steel
panels and sheet molded composite exterior panels - is available
on STX, XLT and FX4 models. The stylish Flareside harks
back to historic Ford models with deeper, fender-like wheel
flares and a unique tailgate design that flares outward
at its upper edge for a "spoiler effect." Tailgates
for both box designs incorporate Ford's new Tailgate Assist,
an innovative and segment-exclusive feature that reduces
opening and closing efforts.

"Truck
owners spend more time than ever before in their vehicles,
both for work and personal use," said Jim Smithbauer,
F-150 design manager. "We designed the new F-150 interior
to give them the comfort, craftsmanship, versatility and
features they want and deserve. The look is very modern,
precise and industrial, and it's executed in an honest,
straightforward way."

Designers
adopted a modular approach when creating the F-150 instrument
panel. Bold vertical bands gave the design team tremendous
flexibility to adopt different colors, textures and materials
to customize the look of the instrument panel. All models,
including the base version, feature an attractive two-tone
instrument panel.

"Built
Ford Tough" was always in the forefront of designers'
minds as they shaped the all-new 2004 F-150.
Designers created three different instrument cluster designs,
which combine with other elements to give each series a
distinctive look. For example, the FX4 cluster evokes images
of classic aviation while the Lariat features chrome-ringed
gauges that match other chrome interior elements, including
the door handles.

Functional
round air registers are trimmed in chrome on higher-specification
models and are dimpled for fingertip-controlled opening
and closing.

The
new F-150 interior introduces a flow-through center console,
giving customers the option of two captain's chairs with
a floor shifter on FX4 and Lariat models. The floor shifter,
another F-150 first, is a sophisticated design, detailed
in warm steel and chrome. Vehicles equipped with a 40/20/40
split-front-bench seat have a different instrument panel
center stack optimized for middle passenger legroom.

The
new F-150 marks the debut of another industry-first - a
modular overhead rail system that allows owners to customize
interior storage options to suit their individual needs.
It is standard equipment on XLT, FX4 and Lariat SuperCab
and SuperCrew models.

The
brushed aluminum rail system is integrated into the headliner
and extends from behind the rearview mirror to behind the
second row of seats. The forward end of the rail features
a dome light console and a large storage bin module.

The
system - with integral power supply - allows owners to easily
snap in additional modules, such as first aid kits, toolboxes,
flashlights and two-way radio holders as they become available
from Ford or the aftermarket. Already available on XLT,
FX4 and Lariat SuperCrew is an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment
system.

THE
NEW, DIFFERENTIATED F-150 FAMILY

In order
to meet the needs of key customer segments, Ford developed
five distinct models for the new F-150. Each series provides
new attributes and comfort and convenience features - many
of which are firsts in the full-size segment.

"In
essence, we are reinventing the rules in the full-size pickup
market," said Doug Scott, Ford Division truck group
marketing manager. "We built on our heritage, listened
to customer feedback, and developed a totally new approach
that allows us to appeal to the full-size truck market and
provide individualized versatility and character."

F-150
XLThe
XL personifies the pickup's role in building America. It
is the workhorse truck that gets the job done, and can get
down and dirty with hose-out floor functionality. The XL
is available in both Regular Cab and SuperCab models with
a choice of vinyl or cloth interior. The Regular Cab configuration
is equipped with Ford's new rear access doors, which open
up a more spacious area behind the 40/20/40 split-bench
seat for stowage. The XL boasts a bold, forthright grille
design; tailgate-assist; and larger, standard 17-inch steel
wheels. New features also include standard tilt steering
wheel and a center display system in the instrument panel.

F-150
STXThe F-150
STX provides work truck capabilities in a sporty, stylish
package. STX, powered by the 4.6-liter Triton™ V-8
engine, is available in Regular Cab or SuperCab body styles
and features body-color bumpers and 17-inch sporty cast
aluminum wheels. STX comes equipped with a standard 61/2
-foot Styleside or an optional Flareside box, and the SuperCab
model also offers a 51/2 -foot Styleside box option. Owners
of the new STX can opt for an available audiophile sound
system with AM/FM radio and 6-disc CD changer with subwoofer.

F-150
XLTVersatile
enough to carry people and cargo, the XLT series is ideal
for a wide array of uses - ranging from hauling to recreation.
XLT is available in all cab variations and, depending on
cab choice, all three Styleside box lengths and Flareside
configurations are available. XLT features an optional Silver
two-tone paint finish, unique grille treatment and standard
17-inch cast aluminum wheels. Premium cloth is featured
on the standard 40/20/40 split-bench seat or optional dual
captain's chairs, and a chrome instrument panel accents
add distinction. The XLT features Ford's new overhead rail
system and foglamps on 4x4 models. For SuperCab and SuperCrew
models, XLT's standard second-row power windows are a segment
first.

F-150
FX4The new
FX4 is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts who believe four-wheel-drive
capability is a critical lifestyle element. It combines
off-road capability with a bold and distinctive individual
statement. FX4 models are available in Regular Cab, SuperCab
and SuperCrew body styles. Customers have a choice of box
configurations: 61/2-foot Styleside, 61/2-foot Flareside
or the new 51/2-foot Styleside, depending on cab choice.
New optional 18-inch machined cast aluminum wheels, body-color
bumpers, a distinctive grille and a new available Dark Shadow
Gray lower two-tone exterior paint treatment complete the
package. Inside, FX4 has unique "warm steel" accents
on the instrument panel, center console, doors and steering
wheel. Its aircraft-inspired instrument cluster, "carbon
mesh" accents and chrome-ringed air registers further
refine the look. Optional captain's chairs can be specified
in either sporty cloth or sporty leather, and come with
a segment-first, flow-through center console with floor
shifter.

F-150
LARIATThe ultimate
in truck refinement, the F-150 Lariat combines truck toughness
and comfort, geared to buyers who view their trucks as a
reward for achievement. Lariat owners use their trucks for
a multitude of purposes from everyday driving and road trips,
to towing boats or travel trailers. Many depend on their
trucks for towing but want comfort and refinement. The Lariat
features optional premium heated dual power leather captain's
chairs with the unique flow-through console and floor shifter
or a standard 40/20/40 leather split bench seat.
The instrument panel and center console contain finely crafted
stitched surfaces in Medium Pebble or Ebony, augmented by
woodgrain touches on the doors and instrument panel center
stack. Lariat's instrument cluster also is unique, with
cream-colored gauges ringed in chrome to complement the
chrome-ringed air registers and chrome door handles. The
steering wheel has built-in controls for key audio and climate
control functions. Other special Lariat features include
an in-dash message center, electronic automatic temperature
control and power-adjustable memory seats and pedals. An
available Beige lower two-tone paint treatment, chrome bumpers
and a unique grille, along with 18-inch bright aluminum
wheels accentuate the exterior.

SUPERIOR
DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The
all-new Ford F-150 provides an entirely new driving experience
in a full-size pickup. The steering is crisp and direct,
the ride is plush yet controlled, the braking is strong
and assured, and the cabin is quiet. Ford has applied its
expertise in driving dynamics to the best-selling vehicle
in the world, and the result is a pickup truck that is responsive,
confident while towing and robust and capable off-road.

The
new F-150 has been designed to achieve exceptional handling,
ride and quietness due in part to a solid and stable fully
boxed frame with hydroformed front rails. The frame is approximately
nine times stiffer in torsion and approximately 50-percent
stiffer in bending as the already robust backbone of the
current truck.

The
entire frame is fully boxed to form a closed "box"
section rather than the traditional "C" rail design,
and hydroforming was used for the sections of the frame
rails that bear the loads of the front suspension. The result
is increased stiffness and stronger attachment points for
the brackets that attach the body and suspension to the
frame - and minimal shake and shudder on rough roads.

With
a driving feel that is designed to be plush yet connected
to the road, F-150 has a front suspension system that readily
absorbs bumps but stands strong against steering forces.
Both 4x2 and 4x4 models use new coil-on-shock, long-spindle,
double wishbone front suspension with cast aluminum lower
control arms - a first in the pickup truck segment. The
suspension reduces unsprung weight to help provide better
ride and stability on choppy, broken surfaces.

Advanced
bushings - soft in response to road impacts but stiff to
cornering loads, with ride tuning and handling tuning optimized
independently - contribute to the improved ride and handling.
Engineers targeted crisp steering response with new features
including "gripping" bushings and double ball-type
joints instead of rubber bushings in the stabilizer bar
system.

The
front shock absorbers are mounted inside the springs, allowing
four-wheel-drive models to use coil springs instead of the
traditional torsion bars, permitting more precise suspension
tuning and commonality across the lineup. The design also
moves the shock absorber closer to the wheel for approximately
25-percent greater mechanical advantage, which allows for
more precise shock tuning.

The
Hotchkiss-design rear suspension has been optimized with
rear shock absorbers placed outboard of the frame rails
- a segment exclusive - for improved control of body lean
and a smoother ride. The shock position also provides better
control of axle "skipping" and "skating"
that can happen on washboard-type surfaces. Rear leaf springs
are now 3 inches wide (20 percent bigger than the 2002 F-150
and the same width as on the F-Series Super Duty lineup)
to help reduce sway during cornering and considerably improve
towing stability.

Precise
steering, a laterally stiff rear suspension with outboard
shock absorbers, larger brakes and the new 5.4-liter, 3-valve
TritonTM engine make for the best F-150 driving experience
yet.
A rack-and-pinion steering system that is the largest and
strongest ever used on a Ford vehicle was engineered to
provide improved steering response for the new F-150. It
is more robust than the recirculating-ball system used on
the current F-150 and has less operating friction. Both
measures contribute to the precise steering response that
makes the new F-150 driving experience spirited and confidence-inspiring.

"Steering
response was a top priority for our dynamics team because
this is where the vehicle communicates very directly to
the driver," said Frank Davis, F-150 chief program
engineer. "The new rack-and-pinion steering, increased
system stiffness and reduced friction all play their part
in delivering a superior driving experience."

In addition
to its class-leading dynamic performance, the new F-150
steering system also makes for a relatively tight 46-foot
turning circle on SuperCab models with the 61/2 -foot cargo
box, which beats comparably equipped competitors, most notably
the Dodge Ram Quad Cab. The new standard four-wheel disc
brakes are larger and more powerful while providing better
feel.

The
new F-150's revised rear suspension places the shocks outboard
of the springs for the first time, allowing more precise
tuning and improving ride handling. Wider leaf springs increase
the suspension's resisitance to side loads, for increased
stability.
The rotors are larger and thicker, and the calipers are
larger and even more robust - 60 percent stiffer - for enhanced
stopping power and better brake pedal "feel."
Four-wheel anti-lock brake control (ABS) and electronic
brake force distribution (EBD) are standard.

The
vented front discs have twin-piston calipers and are 330
millimeters (13 inches) in diameter, an increase of 22 millimeters
(0.87 inches), or about 7 percent. The vented rear discs,
with single-piston calipers, have a diameter of 348 millimeters
(13.7 inches), an increase of 14 millimeters (0.55 inches).
Increasing rotor size provides more surface area for brake
pad contact and better heat dissipation for more consistent
braking performance in stop-and-go driving or while towing.

The
F-150 suspension is designed to contribute to braking assurance,
resisting body dive and counteracting natural toe-out forces
under braking to provide the driver predictable, consistent
stopping performance.

While
the most dramatic improvement in the F-150 driving experience
comes on-road, Ford has steadily improved off-pavement performance.
Four-wheel-drive models use the proven manual- or electronic
shift-on-the-fly transfer case of the current F-150 and
a selection of optional limited-slip rear axles.

On rugged
terrain, the new F-150's outboard shocks provide more precise
control of the rear axle, while the wider leaf springs increase
side-to-side stiffness.
In low range, electronic throttle control allowed engineers
to incorporate a dedicated accelerator response strategy
for better control of torque in the most challenging and
slippery conditions.

Off-road
braking performance was the subject of careful tuning. On
loose surfaces like gravel, F-150 engineers were able to
improve off-road stopping distances by approximately 13
percent.

The
5.4-liter, 3-valve TritonTM engine delivers 300 hp and 365
lb.-ft. of torque, both improved for 2004.
The new F-150 offers two engine choices - a 5.4-liter, 3-valve
Triton™ V-8 and a 4.6-liter Triton™ V-8.

The
all-new 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton™V-8 engine is designed
with three valves per cylinder, variable cam timing and
a host of other features that provide increased power -
especially at low engine speeds - along with improved refinement
and efficiency.

The
new engine delivers 300 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 365
foot-pounds of torque at 3,750 rpm. The all-new, aluminum
cylinder head - with two intake valves and one exhaust valve
per cylinder for 24 valves in total - and an improved cast-iron
block balance impressive power with better fuel efficiency
and quieter operation.

This
new technology builds on Ford's proven modular V-8 engine
platform. Its predecessor, a 2-valve version of the 5.4-liter
Triton™, has been named to Ward's 10-Best Engines
list six years running. It isn't a single technology but
rather a suite of enhancements that deliver these consumer
benefits.

The
new engine will be Ford's first modular V-8 to use variable
cam timing, which allows Ford engineers to optimize intake
and exhaust valve actuation across the engine speed range.
It is the industry's first mass application of dual-equal
variable-cam timing, which shifts the intake and exhaust
valve timing together.

Variable
camshaft timing allows the valves to be operated at different
points in the combustion cycle, to provide performance that
is precisely tailored to specific engine speed and load
at that instant. The driver does not notice that the cams
are changing, but recognizes that there's more power when
it is needed.

In combination
with precise control of spark timing, fuel injection and
use of electrically controlled Charge Motion Control Valves
in the intake runners, this technology produces improved
power and torque, particularly at the lower engine speeds
that are so important to applications such as towing and
heavy hauling.

With
all-aluminum heads, single overhead camshafts, magnesium
camshaft covers and a clean-sheet design approach, Ford's
engineers were able to develop a three-valve-per-cylinder
engine that has virtually no weight penalty compared with
two-valve V-8 engines. The three-valve head is dimensionally
smaller than the two-valve design for the 5.4-liter engine,
while offering more rigidity and strength. It also is easier
to manufacture.

At lower
speeds and lighter loads, the new Charge Motion Control
Valves (CMCV) - located at the end of each intake runner
- are specially shaped to speed up the intake charge and
induce a tumble effect in the combustion cylinder. This
causes the fuel to mix more thoroughly, and to burn quickly
and efficiently, with reduced emissions, particularly at
idle.

The
CMCVs are controlled by an electronic motor, and open at
a predetermined point as engine speed increases. At higher
engine speeds, they do not affect the intake charge at all.
This allows undisturbed maximum flow into the combustion
chambers at wide-open throttle.

The
proven 4.6-liter TritonTM V-8, like the 5.4-liter TritonTM,
now uses electronic throttle control for improved response
and efficiency.
New on both the 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter engines is a segment-first
torque-based electronic throttle control that uses driver
input from the accelerator pedal to actively modulate the
torque at the drive wheels. It is a direct descendant of
technology first used in fighter aircraft.

Replacing
the mechanical throttle linkage is an accelerator position
sensor, an electronic control circuit and an actuator at
the throttle valve on the engine. The controller takes into
account the current operating status of the engine and ambient
conditions, and then operates the throttle as needed to
best deliver the desired result.

This
produces seamless and consistent engine response, improved
fuel economy and enhanced integration of vehicle systems,
such as the transmission, variable camshaft timing, vehicle
speed control and idle speed control.

IMPROVED
4.6-LITER TRITONTM V-8

All
systems and components of the new F-150 are designed to
work seamlessly together, including the new 5.4-liter, 3-valve
TritonTM engine, transmission, electronic controls, suspension
tuning and braking systems.
Also available in the new F-150 is the 4.6-liter Triton™
V-8. It achieves 231 horsepower at 4,750 rpm and an impressive
293 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. Ninety percent of
this torque is available at 2,000 rpm for strong towing
performance and solid acceleration while hauling heavy loads.

In addition
to the benefits of the new electronic throttle control system,
the 4.6-liter modular V-8 has reduced hydrocarbon emissions
for 2004 thanks to improved gaskets, seals and crankcase-ventilation
plumbing.

The
4.6-liter Triton™ V-8 has two valves per cylinder
and a cast iron block. It uses an upgraded version of Ford's
4R70E four-speed automatic transmission, which has improved
shifting controls, for smoother performance.

ENHANCED
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS

Matched
to the new 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton™ V-8 is a new
4R75E four-speed automatic transmission, an evolution of
the 4R70E used on the current F-150. It is upgraded to handle
the torque of the 5.4-liter engine, while taking advantage
of patented upgrades to the 4R70E.

While
final certification is not yet complete, Ford expects the
new F-150 will offer competitive fuel economy.

Tough,
capable and versatile, America's pickup truck also has more
interior spaciousness, features that contribute to ergonomic
ease and new levels of refinement. The combination makes
for a calm, quiet confidence that all drivers will appreciate.

Each
of F-150's cargo boxes - offered in 51/2-, 61/2- and 8-foot
lengths - is more than 2 inches deeper than before, increasing
usable volume. The total cargo volume of the 61/2 -foot
box, for example, is 65 cubic feet, which is nearly 12 percent
better than the current F-150, 13 percent better than Chevrolet
and 42 percent larger than Toyota's 6-foot box. That extra
capacity could save a trip to the landscape supply or garden
center.

The
newly engineered chassis and seamless powertrains make pulling
a trailer easier than ever. The 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton™
V-8 has excellent torque at lower engine speeds, and its
sophisticated electronic throttle control provides seamless,
instant response and consistent transmission shift quality.
Four axle ratios - from 3.31:1 to 4.10:1 - are available,
and all but the 3:31:1 can have optional limited-slip capability
for enhanced traction.

Camouflaged
test vehicle runs through an off-road course at Arizona
Proving Ground.
The laterally stiff new rear suspension is very resistant
to side loads, so trailer influence on the truck (in crosswinds,
on rutted roads or alongside 18-wheelers) is minimal. This
contributes to confident, stress-free trailering, aided
by powerful new braking capability.

With
a maximum tow rating of 9,500 pounds and maximum payload
capacity of 2,900 pounds, the new F-150 is the most capable
full-size pickup under 8,500 pounds.

At F-150's
core is a stout, fully boxed ladder frame with hydroformed
front rails. Critical cross members are welded to the rails
with a "through-rail" joint to prevent localized
flex. "Wide-footprint" brackets attach the suspension,
body and powertrain to the frame to maximize the strength
of the attachment point. The entire frame is welded together,
built to last.

The
F-150 SuperCrew configuration combines the versatility of
a pickup box with generous interior space.
The new body structure is improved by more than 75 percent
and works with the stiffer frame to ward off squeaks and
rattles. For the new F-150, the most aggressive use yet
of structural adhesives on a Ford truck helps to spread
loads over the length of a seam, to maintain long-term body
stiffness.

Prototypes
completed a 17-week corrosion test at Ford's Arizona Proving
Ground that included a gamut of torture, including Salt
Bath, Humidity Chamber and Drying Chamber. Sixty cycles
of this testing simulate six years of abuse in Canada's
rugged Maritime Provinces. Today's F-150 prototypes were
subjected to hundreds of testing cycles.

In addition,
the new F-150 has endured the equivalent of more than 5
million cumulative miles of engine testing.

Contractors
and personal-use buyers may have different needs and wants
in their F-150, but they all use the truck as a tool - to
get the job done, to get their gear to the recreation area
or to get to work between weekends. Ford knows that any
good tool is easy to use, and has worked extensively to
help ensure that all of its customers find F-150 a good
"fit."

New
for the 2004 F-150, electronic throttle control enabled
engineers to craft a unique throttle response for low-range
four-wheel-drive to enhance the driver's feeling of control.
People come in all shapes and sizes, of course, and the
F-150 reflects that fact: It's designed to accommodate a
so-called 25th-percentile woman (approximately 4'10"
tall) as well as a 99th-percentile male (approximately 6'4").
The cabin is wider than ever before and its front seat is
roomier, yet the door armrests extend far enough for smaller
drivers to use comfortably. Grab handles and optional running
boards assist during entry and exit, and optional power-adjustable
pedals join a standard tilt steering wheel for customizing
the driving position.

A standard
Tailgate Assist feature uses an internal torsion bar to
help with raising and lowering the tailgate. The optional
running boards were moved lower and farther outboard to
be more useful for stepping up into the cab.

Essential
to meeting Ford's goals for the best driving experience
available in a pickup truck was engineering quietness into
the cabin. A quiet passenger cabin helps driver and passengers
to stay alert and arrive relaxed, and has a profound effect
on customer satisfaction.

The
F-150 team tackled cabin noise with fanatical attention
to detail.

As a
result of their efforts, the F-150 cabin has highway cruise
noise levels that are 2 sones quieter than the previous
segment leader. While driving on coarse country roads at
more moderate speeds, overall interior sound levels are
2.8 dBA lower than the previous leader.

During
wide-open-throttle acceleration, the "speech articulation
index" - a measure of how easily one can hold a conversation
- is 5 percentage points better than the nearest competitor,
above 3,500 rpm.

The
new F-150 is rugged from the ground up-literally. The new
fully boxed frame features hydroformed sections for improved
torsional and bending strength.
Liquid-filled engine mounts or "hydromounts" attenuate
much of the engine's noise and vibration before it can reach
the passenger compartment. To further combat unwanted noise,
the new F-150 has inset doors with improved seals, thicker
front side windows, a laminated dash panel and noise-blocking
air extractor vents at the rear of the cab. New double door
seals contribute to the quiet ride.

SAFETY
AND SECURITY

The
all-new Ford F-150 has been engineered with a focus on safety.
Across the line-up, the new full-size truck from the Tough
Truck leader has the strength, technology and know-how to
protect its occupants.

The
new F-150 helps to protect its occupants with a structure
designed to absorb crash energy and dissipate it before
it can reach the reinforced passenger compartment. In the
U.S. Federal Government's frontal crash tests, the 2002
F-150 SuperCrew scored five stars for driver and front passenger
protection.

In the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's offset frontal
crash test, Ford expects the new F-150 to earn high marks,
based on extensive internal testing. It also has been designed
to meet the new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)
208, which regulates air bag as well as offset crash performance.

Safety
enhancements are integrated throughout the F-150's passenger
cabin. New for 2004 is a weight-sensing front passenger
seat that helps tailor air bag response to specific situations.
It's an element of Ford's comprehensive Personal Safety
SystemTM
The new, strong hydroformed front frame rails are built
with computer-designed front horns to help manage crash
forces. In an impact, these areas of the frame are designed
to collapse in an accordion fashion, dissipating energy
before it reaches the passenger compartment.

Innovative
design added additional space to this crush zone. Rather
than being welded or bolted to the back of the fully boxed
bumper beam, the front frame rails extend through cutouts
in the beam to its front face, where they are welded in
place. In a severe frontal impact, lower suspension control
arms are designed to fracture, further absorbing crash energy.

The
front crush structure is built from channeled steel sections
welded together to form fully boxed frame rails. These sections
meet the robust hydroformed frame ahead of the cab, providing
a rugged steel platform beneath the entire passenger compartment.
Reinforcements on the frame rails further improve the frame
stiffness there. Combined with exceptionally stiff door
sills and door openings, the hydroformed frame is able to
help keep the main section of the frame from twisting during
an offset crash. In the U.S. Federal Government's side impact
tests, the new F-150 is designed to retain its strong performance.

The
new F-150's portfolio of safety features now includes the
Ford Personal Safety System™ and new occupant sensing
technology.

With
Personal Safety System™, frontal air bags offer multiple
deployment levels to tailor inflation force to the severity
of the crash, the driver's safety belt use and the driver's
seat position, as determined by a sensor mounted to the
seat track.

The
Personal Safety System™ is augmented by advanced passenger-weight-sensing
technology. If the sensor detects no weight on the front
passenger seat - or very little weight, such as a newspaper,
a half-dozen bagels or work gloves - the passenger-side
air bag is automatically turned off. If more weight is detected
on the seat, as with a small child, the air bag remains
turned off and a light on the instrument panel illuminates
with the message "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF." If an
adult is seated properly in the passenger seat, the light
is extinguished and the air bag is automatically switched
on. Small children should always be seated in proper supplemental
safety seats in the rear seats whenever possible, even with
this system.

A vehicle
occupant's best line of defense in crashes remains the safety
belt. The new F-150 has three-point belts at all outboard
seating positions and all rear seating positions in SuperCab
and SuperCrew. To encourage safety belt use, the new F-150
is equipped with Ford's pioneering BeltMinder™ system,
which prompts the driver and - for the first time in a truck
- the front passenger to buckle up.

The
new optional flow-through center console and floor shifter,
shown in the FX4.
At both the driver and outboard front passenger positions,
safety belts are equipped with pyrotechnic pretensioners
and load-limiting retractors. In the first moments of a
frontal impact, the pretensioners pull the lap and shoulder
belts tighter, which helps to reduce slack in the belts.

The
new F-150 has standard provisions for safely securing a
LATCH-compatible child safety seat. There are three sets
of LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) fixtures
and top tether anchors across the rear seat of SuperCab
and SuperCrew models, and a top tether anchor on the front
passenger seat. Regular Cab models have both LATCH lower
anchors and a top tether anchor on front passenger seats.

Numerous
additional features help to protect customers, the new F-150
and its contents, including Ford's patented SecuriLock™
passive anti-theft system, available keypad entry, remote
keyless entry, spare wheel lock and standard lockable tailgate.

With
6 more inches of interior cab length on Regular Cab and
SuperCab models, the F-150 provides more lockable stowage
volume than ever before - up to 13 inches behind the front
seat of the Regular Cab.

THE
F-SERIES LEADERSHIP STORY

The
all-new 2004 F-150 Lariat introduces unprecedented refinement
while delivering Ford Tough Truck capability.
The story of the Ford F-Series is one of sustained leadership.
From the construction site to the house next door, the full-size
pickup has earned its place in the fabric of American life.
F-Series is America's choice. It outsells every other full-size
truck brand. In fact, F-Series has been America's favorite
vehicle for 21 years running, as of January 2003.

Historically,
Ford has led the industry with innovations such as a standard
third door on SuperCab and the SuperCrew. These configurations
gave F-Series customers true personal-use versatility -
without compromising tough truck capability. When extended
cab models were introduced in the 1990s, they accounted
for less than 20 percent of the total market. Today, they
represent approximately 80 percent of sales due to their
increased passenger space and functionality.

"Ford's
F-Series leadership is well documented," said Matt
DeMars, executive director for Tough Trucks, Ford Motor
Company. "We have a huge owner base and a reputation
for toughness and durability that is unsurpassed in the
industry. We used our customer insight to help us anticipate
the 'next big thing' in the market, and we continue to give
customers in this growing segment the most appealing products."

In 2002,
Ford dealers delivered more than 800,000 F-Series trucks
to U.S. customers, making F-Series America's best-selling
truck for the 26th consecutive year.

The
numbers tell why Ford is aggressively striving to maintain
and extend its leadership as the best-selling full-size
pickup. The F-Series is extremely important to Ford's bottom
line. It accounts for nearly 28 percent of Ford Division's
sales and 23 percent of Ford Motor Company's total U.S.
sales.